Dalbeattie Star boss Eddie Warwick admits it will be “extremely difficult” to avoid the Lowland League trapdoor.
The Islecroft side are bottom of the league with six games left and trail Edinburgh University – who have played three games more – by four points.
And adding to their woes is a packed April which will see them play all their remaining league games – and a Utility Hut South of Scotland Challenge Cup match – to make up for postponements earlier in the season.
Warwick said: “We tried to get our team sorted for the last eight games and all of a sudden I’ve now got two suspensions and three injuries and they’re probably five of the starting 11.
“Now I’m not able to field my strongest team and having to dip into the bench and the bench is what was there at the start of the season and the reason they’re in the trouble they’re in.
“It’s very difficult just now with injuries and suspensions. We’ve been given seven games in April with the fixture list. There’s no way that squad is going to cope with that.
“We’ll give it our best shot but it’s going to be extremely difficult.
“The pitch will not cope either, we’ll probably need to look for some facilities.
“We’re playing full-time teams – Edinburgh Uni is the biggest game for us, they train four times a week and are full-time. So are Celtic and Hearts and we’ve got them to play. It’s extremely difficult.”
Star were due to play Hearts’ youngsters last night and would be hoping it went better than Saturday’s game against Bo’ness United, which ended in a 7-1 defeat.
Kick-off was delayed to allow work on the Islecroft playing surface after heavy rain before John Ward and Lennon Walker put Bo’ness into an early lead, Star pulling one back through Dale Milligan.
However, Walker restored the two goal lead before the break and early in the second half Star had Ronan Kearney sent off for a challenge on Ryan Stevenson.
There was no way back from that as Nicky Locke got the fourth before Walker completed his hat-trick.
Goals from MacKenzie Lawler and Stevenson took the final tally to seven on another disappointing day for Star.
Warwick said: “The first half was quite competitive. At 2-1, I thought we should have had a penalty but we didn’t get it and it was 3-1 at half-time.
• Star will host Cowdenbeath this weekend. The game will be played at Galabank, Annan.
